What is the Price of a Panda?

The two pandas, Yang Guang and Tian Tian, or Sunshine and Sweetie in English, are not as many people think, a gift to the UK people. The deal to bring them to the UK involved the not unsubstantial sum of $1 million per year as “rent” to the Chinese government. Edinburgh Zoo have also spent upwards of £250,000 building a state of the art new enclosure to house its star animals. However, the Zoo hopes to recoup the cost of the pandas through increased visitor numbers and early indications seem to show that visitors are flocking to the zoo to see them. Demand is such that a system of timed tickets to the panda enclosure is in operation.

Criticism

Public reaction to the arrival of the pandas in the UK has been mainly positive, although critics of zoos in general have been vocal in their opinion that pandas should be kept in China rather than a European Zoo. China’s human rights record and lack of political freedom have led others to wonder why the relationship between the Scottish government and the Chinese appears to be so cordial and cosy. There is also the worry that by devoting such a large sum of money to the acquisition of the pandas, some of the other facilities and animals at Edinburgh Zoo may suffer.

Pregnancy Possibility?

The boost to Edinburgh Zoo’s reputation if the female panda produces a cub would be enormous, but breeding pandas is notoriously difficult. Pandas are only in season for a matter of hours each year, and getting the timing right is tricky. Keepers had hopes of an early pregnancy this year, but it seems that the opportunity has already passed.

Penguins

The new panda enclosure at the zoo meant the redesigning of several other enclosures. Although the original penguin pen was kept the same, a new pathway was built leading to the panda enclosure. Visitors to the pandas at the end of 2011 found that the original penguin inhabitants of the zoo, who may have had their beaks put out of joint by the new Chinese arrivals stealing the limelight, were hitting queuing visitors with droppings as they waited to see the pandas. Penguins are curious birds, and could not resist the temptation of going to the wall of their pool area to see what everyone was doing on the walkway below. Edinburgh Zoo said they were considering installing a plastic or glass panel to protect the visitors from the unwanted penguin attention.

A cleaner version of Penguin is Original Penguin, an established fashion brand available from Jean Store.

Sarah Harding & Tom Crane

There’s no other destination in the world suitable for party Queen, Sarah Harding, other than somewhere with a pulsating club life. This narrows the choice for possible honeymoon coach holidays to Ibiza, The Greek Islands, Cyprus or partying capitals of the world such as Las Vegas and New York.

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt

I don’t think there’s a place in the world that these two A-listers have not stepped in so we know they love to travel but where in the world could be their perfect honeymoon coach holiday getaway? After much deliberation, we think off-the-wall destinations such as Mongolia, Nepal or the Galapagos Isles for a honeymoon with a difference.

Michelle Keegan & Max George

Getting as far away from the cobbles of Coronation Street is probably high on the agenda for Michelle Keegan and as this couple appear to be rather romantic, we would suggest coach holidays to the paradise islands of Mauritius, Bali or The Maldives. If they’d rather stay closer to home then there some perfect destinations on the doorstep from Skeggy to Blackpool on UK coach holidays.

Lauren Goodger & Mark Wright

If they haven’t had enough of the place already, there’s really only one destination that’s perfect for these two TOWIE love-birds and that’s got to be Marbella where Lauren can flaunt her figure in the skimpiest of bikini’s and Mark can get his washboard stomach out and top up the tan. To continue with the glam theme (if they’ve had enough of Marbs) coach holidays to St Tropez or Cannes would also fit the bill but should the TOWIE success fade between now and the honeymoon, they’ve always got Clacton!

Katharine Jenkins & Gethin Jones

It’s fair to say that all eyes will be on these lovebirds as they get hitched especially if the rumours prove to be true that Wales will have a National Holiday on the day they get married. We reckon that the couple will want to get away from it all with a romantic break on the secluded islands of The Caribbean. On the other hand, Katharine may want to get back to her operatic roots with Italy coach holidays to the beautiful and romantic city of Verona. Whilst in Italy, they could nip over to neighbouring Venice where Gethin can take Katharine on a romantic gondola ride – although the gondolier may be at a loose end with Katharine singing an aria or two!

The red carpet will be rolled out for Kaif’s new film release ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’, a romantic comedy in which she stars alongside fellow Bollywood star Imran Khan and Pakistani singer Ali Zafar.

“Everyone holds premieres in Dubai, and we wanted to be different; so, we chose the capital,” Nelson D’Souza from Yash Raj Films, the producers of the film, said of their choice of Abu Dhabi over Dubai for the world premiere.

While Dubai has become a hot favourite for Bollywood stars and premieres, this is only the second Bollywood film to be showcased in Abu Dhabi.

The red carpet invite-only event will be held at the Vox Cinemas in the UAE capital from 7pm, with a pre-event held at the Sharaf DG outlet in Abu Dhabi Mall at 5pm.

The film tells the story of an upper middle class man, played by Khan, who falls in love with his brother’s fiancée, played by Kiaf and is based on the Steve Carell Hollywood movie ‘Dan In Real Life’, which has a similar plot.

Kaif is no stranger to Abu Dhabi as in August last year she was unveiled as a brand ambassador for Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways.

‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ goes on general release in the UAE on September 8.

The following tracks have been announced for Jeff Bridges:

1. What A little Bit of Love Can Do
2. I Will Wait
3. Falling Short
4. Maybe I Missed The Point
5. Tumbling Vine
6. Nothing Yet
7. Blue Car
8. Slow Boat
9. Either Way
10. Everything But Love
11. The Quest

He has done a post with some pictures of a mint looking VW Van and a little write up of his short easter break that saw him, his wife and two daughters touring sunny Cornwall for seven days. He had rented the camper van from a company based in Bristol that imports brand new vans that are built in a VW factory in Brazil. You can then hire the vans from them or buy one outright that gets finished to your own specifications. Most of the camper is exactly as the famous hippy wagons were when they were first made but these new ones are fully kitted out with all the mod cons like a cooker, fridge and TV as well as a modern 1.4 litre engine from a VW Polo, so you won’t even have to put up with the breakdowns normally associated with classic aircooled VW’s. Hammond was so impressed with it as soon as they got home they sold their family car and ordered a pink camper for themselves!

It is a very nice write up of the classic British holiday and if you want to read it you can here on the Mirrors site.

The famous WAG’s range has already been very successful in the UK and the clothes are inspired by the latest trends with Coleens’ style and eye for fashion giving a unique style to the range, which includes women’s dresses, women’s shoes, coats,bedding, curtains, perfume and cosmetics.

The new range for Littlewoods Europe will be available in the 25 countries they deliver to including, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The 24 year old wife of footballer Wayne Rooney has been very successful with her foray into the fashion world and her baby doll dresses and doll-like shoes proving to be a big hit with the UK public and high street.

The ex-singer sent out her save the date wedding cards yesterday that featured a mocked up photo of a couple riding a tractor with her and her fiance Sam Cooper’s head photo-shopped on. Apparently they are also going to be turning up to the wedding in a Tractor and not the traditional Classic Rolls Royce or limo like most other people do.

This is not the first time Lily has shown off ehr love for the countryside, in the Not Fair music video she sang among chickens and goats and last year bought a £3 million country estate in the Cotswolds.

Image via The Sun

Fashion Icon

In what has to be the best thing to happen to fashion since the UGG boot, Sylvester Stallone is joining the world of Armani and Gucci with his own range of clothes that will be called ‘Sly Inc’.

In an interview with Men’s Week he said:

“I thought the time is now. I’ve lived a life where I know what has worked and what hasn’t worked. Clothing is the first step to building a character.
Rocky at the end of the day is a love story, while Rambo showcases the other side of masculinity, he is a loner. So the line will offer looks for ‘the rebel and the gentleman.’”

So we are going to get suits covered in blood with a bandana and ‘posh’ boxing gloves? That sounds like a mix of gentlemen, Rambo and Rocky.

I literally cannot wait for pictures of the first line of clothes available, they should be amazing, I predict in a few years time Sly will be known more for his fashion range than his movies.

Or not.

She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress and was from the Golden Age of Hollywood acting alongside legends such as James Dean. She was one of the biggest sex symbols of the time and she had nothing but an eventful life to say the least.

RIP Elizabeth Taylor. Legend. Actor. Pin Up.

This is how many will remember her as the youthful star in the film Giant. Picture Via The Selvedge Yard

He is hitting the news quite a bit recently. I’m not really sure what to say, it seems all so ridiculous and over the top that it must be some kind of elaborate prank like the Joaquin Phoenix druggy rapper hoax.

If it is real does this man need help and lots of it or something else? I’m not really sure if a celebrity breakdown should be quite so funny but some of the one liners he comes out with are pure comedy gold. It is like he is still acting in Hot Shots.

Watch the infamous video of Charlie Sheen’s recent interview where he says he is off the drugs and isn’t bi-polar but he is bi-winning.